Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Off to Butlins...now dreading it!

121 replies

SpringHasSprungGrassIsRiz · 15/07/2022 12:02

We went a few years ago to review it for Mumsnet and it was great for the kids, but it was a Just for Tots break, and we never got around to going back.

Decided to book a week in Minehead to kick off the summer holidays as the DC are older and thought they would really enjoy it.

Just made the mistake of checking the reviews on TripAdvisor, all of the most recent ones are horrendous!

Dirty, understaffed, overcrowded!

Now I'm stressed out!

I'm going to have to pack my marigolds aren't I?

OP posts:
Harridance · 15/07/2022 12:05

I'm sure the kids will love it though

Sunshinesusan33 · 15/07/2022 12:05

Meh it's always been cheap and cheerful. I've been to Skegness a few times and there are definitely areas that need freshening up but it's not the sort of stuff that kids notice or care about. The one thing that always gets me is the dirty nappies left in swimming changing rooms Envy but that's more of a reflection on the people not the place!

MolliciousIntent · 15/07/2022 12:05

The reviews for Butlins are always pretty grim. In my experience you rather get what you pay for, it's often not great, but hopefully the kids won't notice a bit of grime if they're having lots of fun!

sleepylittlebunnies · 15/07/2022 12:06

We went at Easter and had a great time. It will be busier as it’s the summer holidays but the beach and Minehead town are also lovely.

Cakecakecheese · 15/07/2022 12:07

The thing is people are more likely to use such websites to complain than they are to compliment so there could be lots of people who didn't have any problems. If the accommodation isn't up to scratch let them know and they can sort it. I hope you have a nice time.

alphapie · 15/07/2022 12:07

Has Butlins ever not been dirty and understaffed etc.

Most peoples idea of hell on earth (mainly due to the clientele)

user237363826 · 15/07/2022 12:08

I have never been but I've heard really horrible reviews on the place and I would never actually want to go. The cleanliness sounds terrible but it seems a nice holiday for children ?

Harridance · 15/07/2022 12:09

It's not my idea of hell on earth, it's great fun with young kids

FatAgainItsLettuceTime · 15/07/2022 12:11

If you go expecting luxury and classy entertainment you will be disappointed.

If you go with the mindset that your accommodation is just a place to rest, sleep and store your stuff and that you will be out and about having fun then you'll enjoy yourself.

You might need to wipe a few surfaces but you're not going to be moving in forever so don't need to deep clean the place. I'd take some wipes for surfaces and my own sheets and towels, everything else will do for a few days.

Yodaisawally · 15/07/2022 12:12

Sunshinesusan33 · 15/07/2022 12:05

Meh it's always been cheap and cheerful. I've been to Skegness a few times and there are definitely areas that need freshening up but it's not the sort of stuff that kids notice or care about. The one thing that always gets me is the dirty nappies left in swimming changing rooms Envy but that's more of a reflection on the people not the place!

Butlin's isn't cheap. Cheaper then CP but not cheap!

Some of the accommodation is grim, the hotels are fine. My kids love it, I aways say this on here but they are lucky enough to have been of some high end holidays, but butlins is the one they always want to go back to.

whosaidtha · 15/07/2022 12:15

We go every year and love it! Never thought it was dirty. A bit busy in the holidays but not bad. There's so much to do that you're hardly in your room anyway. Kids are entertained 100%of the time so I get a break from entertaining kids and actually get a break too. I'm looking forward to it.
Although we've only done Skegness.

alphapie · 15/07/2022 12:15

@Yodaisawally a Butlins break is very cheap, especially for families.

I just looked, a week in 2 weeks time (so peak dates and short notice) is only £800 for a family of 4.

That's nothing compared to how much most holidays cost

You get what you pay for

EllaPaella · 15/07/2022 12:17

We took the kids a couple of times when they were little. It's not my idea of a holiday but to be fair the kids absolutely loved it and from Minehead you can head out for a bit of sightseeing, Watchett is nearby and a lovely day out. There used to be a little steam train there that the kids loved.

User6784097 · 15/07/2022 12:21

We went with a couple of other families who are very good friends to Skegness about 4 years ago. It was very cheap and very grubby. The kids had a great time though and didn’t notice the grime. They still talk fondly of it but we have never been back.

123deepbreath · 15/07/2022 12:25

We've just come back from Minehead last night and had a great week! Room was cheap and cheerful, couple of spiderwebs but other than that was clean but we barely spent anytime in it bar sleeping as the weather was beautiful, swimming pool and changing rooms were clean - lifeguards seemed to be constantly cleaning them, lots of staff cleaning the grounds throughout, worst mess was people being lazy and leaving bags of rubbish outside their doors and seagulls getting to them but they were tidied up pretty quickly.

Have fun!

safetyfreak · 15/07/2022 12:31

Butlins is cheap? really?

Haven is cheaper and has much better reviews.

PaperTyger · 15/07/2022 12:36

Op just take cleaning stuff,own sheet's... mattress protector and so on .

Also be aware,some of the steepest roads in the UK around there.

DearieMeWhatsUp · 15/07/2022 12:38

We went to Skegness one in the more pricey apartments and didn't think it was dirty at all.

DorothyZbornakIsAQueen · 15/07/2022 12:40

We used to absolutely love Butlins but not been for years as dd is a teen now and wouldn't enjoy it.

We always went Bognor tho and stayed in the hotel.

It was always clean, staff dead helpful, I have nothing but happy memories of it.

I think people who haven't been for ages, think it's still pontins type place, but it isn't at all.

I can only speak for the Bognor one tho. Never fancied Minehead.

Yodaisawally · 15/07/2022 12:40

alphapie · 15/07/2022 12:15

@Yodaisawally a Butlins break is very cheap, especially for families.

I just looked, a week in 2 weeks time (so peak dates and short notice) is only £800 for a family of 4.

That's nothing compared to how much most holidays cost

You get what you pay for

We're paying £700 for 3 nights before Christmas but we stay in the hotel and have a meal plan so not the cheapest way to do it. The chalets and s/c will be cheaper, I was just thinking about how we do it.

Makegoodchoices · 15/07/2022 12:41

It’ll be fine. I work in the holiday industry and people are leaving the most horrific reviews for the most minor issues at the moment. I feel like post-covid lockdowns anything less than perfection triggers a 1 star. They’re also incredibly rude to staff in a way that was rare before.

Sarahtops · 15/07/2022 12:43

"Butlins is cheap? really?

Haven is cheaper and has much better reviews."

Both are owned by the same company, but when you consider what's included in Butlins, it does work out cheaper.

At the moment, a 2 room 4 person 3 night stay in a silver room costs £500 for silver room at Butlins Bognor. To get a bronze cabin at Haven Devon Cliffs the same weekend (5th August) is £569. There's a hideaway for £469.

However, at Butlins there are at least 3 shows every evening, including "big" name stars, the pantomime, the much more comprehensive daytime programme, the updated swimming pool is much more like the one at CP. The fairground rides are free, and constant other free entertainment all weekend. So yeah, it works out much cheaper.

We've just had our holiday cancelled and had to make a last minute booking. Having lost so many £££ on the foreign holiday, we didn't have much left to spend. When we added up the costs of haven vs Butlins. Factor in how little spending money you need at Butlins, it works out loads cheaper. Particularly if you have teens who like the fairground rides, but not the haven kids shows.

mungomidgeandmary · 15/07/2022 12:44

Oh no!

It might be fine if you just use the accommodation as a base and visit the local tourist attractions and beach. Though past threads haven't raved about the standard of the accommodation.

Hope you have a great time and it doesn't turn out to be as bad as you're imagining.

Orangemoons · 15/07/2022 12:45

We’re going soon and I can’t wait! I always bring anti bac cleaning spray with me though. But the kids love it and we all have the best time!

ladygindiva · 15/07/2022 12:49

We went to Minehead Butlins may half term and had a fabulous time. The swimming pool and entertainment were especially fantastic. We self catered as we are a family of fussy eaters. We've rebooked for next Easter it was so good. I found the staff helpful and friendly, no issues with cleanliness and the kids (5 yo twins) LOVED IT . Enjoy your holiday. Make sure you book the free panto, it was fab.